Periodic switch



Oct. 19, 1937. J. F. MOLLOY PERIODIC SWITCH Filed Aug. 27, 1954 INVE-NTOR:

76 JAMES F. MOLLOY.

FIGZ

ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 19, 1937 UNITED STATES PATEN OFFICE.

a amm AppHcat:::u:h: 1;f; :l a1 741,912

1Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in periodic switches, and more particularly to switches for electrically operated musical chimes.

Among the objects of the invention is to provide a periodic switch for musical chimes which is largely composed of parts which are commercially available.

Another object is to obviate the necessity for attention or servicing of the periodic switch.

Another object is to produce a periodic switch, inexpensive and durable in construction, and permanently reliable in operation.

Other objects and advantages appear as this description progresses.

In this specification and the accompanying drawing, the invention is disclosed in its preferred form.

In the one sheet of drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of. the control means for the chimes constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section of one of the switches for controlling the solenoids, which actuate the chime strikers In detail, the construction illustrated in the drawing, referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 comprises the several switches 32, 33, 34, and 35 mounted alongside each other on the base 39. This type of switch is available in the art.

The construction of these switches is illustrated in Fig. 3 and consists of the recessed dielectric base 31 closed by the cover 39. The resilient lever 99 is fixed on the base 31 at 49 and has the non-burning contact 4| on its end opposite the contact 42 on the base 31. The lever 39 normally impinges against the stop 43 and separates the contact 4i from the contact 42. The resilient arms 44 are integral with the lever 39 on each side thereof, and are bowed, having their free ends confined in the notches 45. The dielectric operating plunger 49 rests on the lever 39 and extends upward through the cover 39.

External pressure on the plunger 48 depresses the lever 39 and brings the contact 4| into engagement with the contact 42 until the plunger is released. The combined operation of the spring members 39 and 44 is such that the contact 4| instantaneously makes and breaks engagement with the contact 42. The proximity of the plunger 49 to the pivot 40 of the lever 39 enables the switch to be operated with a micrometric movement of the plunger.

The switches 32 to 39 have the levers 41 pivoted on their covers between the lugs 49. The

ends of the levers extend at 49 into operative position above the respective operating plunger-s 43 of the several switches. The opposite ends of the levers are provided with the rounded studs 59. The springs II expanding between the base 5 36 and the levers 41 urge the studs 50 upward into engagement with the periphery of the hollow drum I2.

This drum has the perforations 93 therein at intervals in alinement with the several levers 10 41. The studs." are adapted to enter the perforations 93 under the urge of the springs 5!. This swings the levers 41 on their pivots 49 and depresses their ends 49 against the plungers 49 to operate the switches 32 to 35. 1

The drum consists of the side plate 54 having the lateral flange 52 which forms the periphery of the drum. The opposite side plate 55 is secured to the flange 94 by the screws 56. The side plate 55 has the trunnion 96 which is supg ported in a bearing on the bracket 91 which is fixed on the base 33. The bearing on the bracket is closed by the removable cap 99 which is secured in place by the screws 59.

The opposite side of the drum has the hollow g5 trunnion which telescopes over the low speed shaft Bl'of the speed reducer 92, and is secured thereto by the set screw 40. The speed reducer is mounted on the standard 93 and supports the drum I2 opposite the bracket 51. The high speed 30 shaft 64 of the speed reducer is driven by the squirrel cage" type induction motor 99 which is energized by the coil 96 wound on the usual laminated field core 61. The motor assembly is fixed on brackets such as 94 which extend lat- 35 erally from the speed reducer 92.

The switch 19 has the lever 11 pivoted thereon at 19 and has the stud I9 which is adapted to rest in the interspaced perforations 90 in the periphery of the drum 52. The operating plunger 40 49 of the switch 16 is so arranged with respect to the lever 11 the switch remains open until the stud I9 is displaced from its normal position in one of the perforations 99. The switch "I6 may be interposed in the circuit of the motor coil 69 to 45 control the duration of the motor operation as is conventional in the art of electrically operated musical chimes.

A manual switch may be the usual door bell button and is connected in parallel with the mo- 50 tor switch 13.

The invention operates substantially as follows: When the field coil 66 is energized from an outside source to drive the motor 39 the drum 52 is slowly rotated at predetermined speed through 55 the interposed speed reducer 62. The rotation of the drum immediately displaces the stud 19 from the perforation 80 and swings the lever TI to depress the plunger and close the switch 15. Current then flows through the switch 16 to the coil 66 to continue the operation of the motor 65 after the manual switch not shown has been released.

The rotation of the drum brings at intervals one of the perforations 53 into registry with its cooperating stud 50. The spring 5| forces this stud upward into the alined perforation swinging the lever 31 to momentarily close the corresponding switch 32, 33, 34, or 35. The perforations 53 are arranged on the drum 52 so as to operate the switches 32 to 35, which may be interposed in the control circuits of a conventional electrically operated musical chimes in the proper sequence, and timing to play a musical air.

When the next perforation 80 moves into registry with the stud 19, the lever 11 swings into its original position and opens the switch 16. This interrupts the flow of current to the field coil of the motor 55 and discontinues the rotation of the drum 52.

When the motor coil 66 is again momentarily energized from an outside source, a second cycle of operation is initiated and the apparatus strikes up another air which terminates when the stud 19 again enters one of the perforations 80. In this manner several diflerent airs are being played in succeeding cycles of operation. If desired, the repertoire may be varied by substituting another drum at 52 having suitable perforations. This may be quickly and conveniently accomplished by removing the bearing cap 58 and disengaging the trunnion 60 from the shaft Bl by loosening the set screw 60. The new drum may then be mounted in the apparatus Having thus described this invention what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Pateat is:

Control means for musical chimes comprising a base; a plurality of switches having operating plungers extending therefrom and mounted along side each other on said base; levers pivoted on the covers of said switches and operatively engaging said plungers; studs on said levers; a hollow drum longitudinally arranged with respect to said series of studs and rotatably mounted in standards fixed on said base and having perforations therein adapted to cooperate with said studs to move said levers; springs expanding between said levers and said base and arranged to urge said studs into said perforations; and means for rotating said drum at predetermined speed.

JAMES F. MOLLOY. 

